Ask the Experts

Garden City Hospital is here to help. Now you can browse, search and view answers to frequently asked health questions. Have a personal health question you need answered? We can do that too! Simply submit your question and we will get it to the appropriate GCH health expert for an answer.

Ask the Experts is for general information purposes only. It should never be thought of as medical advice or treatment, nor should it be used in place of a thorough medical screening or an exam by a licensed medical professional. Medical advice should be sought from an emergency room, urgent care center, or licensed medical professional. If you need help finding a physician, use our online physician directory to locate a Garden City Hospital Health Expert that’s right for you.

Check the Sunday issue or your local O&E for more answers from the GCH Health Experts.

Note: Questions are selected both randomly and based on relevance or frequency. Not all submitted questions will be answered. Answers will be posted on GCH.org and not supplied directly to the submitter. To maintain personal privacy, we do not require any personal information be given to submit questions.

Q

My husband and I are recent empty nesters, and have decided we need to get in better shape. Why is cardio such an important part of what we need to do?

Aerobic or cardiovascular exercise is any form of activity that challenges your heart to work harder and become stronger. Cardiovascular fitness also improves the way your body uses oxygen, allowing you to perform physical activity longer without losing your breath. All aerobic exercises are great for your heart, but with these five physical activities, you’re well on your way to great heart health:

Brisk Walking, whether on a treadmill or outdoors, is a natural way to improve your fitness. Your goal should be to push yourself to walk at a fast pace to achieve a moderate intensity level.

Running is one of the best ways to burn calories, lose weight and reduce your risk of heart disease. If you are new to running, start out with a brisk walk and add 1-2 minutes of running to every five minutes of walking.

Swimming is a great, full body workout. It is also a safe alternative if you have joint problems aggravated by activities such as running or walking.

Circuit Training involves short bursts of resistance exercise using moderate weights and frequent repetitions, followed quickly by another burst of exercise targeting a different muscle group.

Group Aerobic Classes improve health, offer motivation and support, and keep boredom at bay. From hula to Zumba, GCH offers a variety of classes to meet all fitness levels.

Before starting any new exercise plan, talk with your doctor to make sure the physical activities you want to begin are safe for your age, health and fitness level.

Q

After my most recent physical, my doctor informed me my blood pressure and cholesterol levels are too high for someone my age and weight. He has given me six months to get them down or he wants me to start taking medication to do the job. I already workout three times a week, but I want to know what I can do with my diet. Please advise.

A

What you eat affects your risk for having heart disease and poor blood circulation, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. With heart disease, plaque (a fatty substance) builds up in the... read more

Source: Linda Main, GCH Food & Nutrition Services Director

A

What you eat affects your risk for having heart disease and poor blood circulation, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. With heart disease, plaque (a fatty substance) builds up in the arteries. Over time, this buildup causes the arteries to narrow and harden, and as a result, the heart does not get all the blood it needs to work properly, causing chest pain or a heart attack. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel bringing blood to the brain becomes blocked by fatty deposits lining the vessel walls.

A heart healthy diet is really quite simple and consists of eating lean meat/protein, low saturated fats and “whole foods”, foods that are unprocessed and unrefined. The following choices are ideal for a heart healthy lifestyle:

For help with personalized eating plans, you may want to consult a registered dietitian. GCH offers a variety of nutrition and weight management services to help you achieve your health goals. These services are often covered by insurance. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 734.458.4330.